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The song playing at the moment must have been a Muggle one since Fabian had never heard it before. It didn’t matter though - the beat was quite catchy and as he leaned against one of the pillars, watching the happy couple moving over to the big wedding cake, he listened to the lyrics.
One line in particular stood out.
The path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell right to the top.
Don't look back.
Oh, wasn’t that fitting.
Looking around, Fabian could see that nearly everyone in this room had walked through hell for years. They had all survived at least one war, most even two. They had survived the losses of loved ones and built up their world again and again. They had moved on, never stopped; they had found family and friends - and love.
Fabian watched as his brother and now sister-in-law posed for some wedding pics, Hermione’s small hand resting over Gideon’s larger one. They both smiled so widely, so genuinely, it almost split their faces. All around them, their friends and family wore similar expressions.
Yes, Fabian thought. These two had especially made it through Hell only to finally find Heaven in each other. Not only the War, but with them both being Aurors, they had never stopped facing the ugliness that this world could be - and that wouldn’t stop after today either.
They would also still face the judgemental looks now and then for the age difference between them - they had already made it through that particular hell when they had finally revealed their love to their family. But thankfully, it didn’t take long for them to become accepted by everyone around them.
Still, it was yet another battle they had fought only to make it through.
They had each other now and seeing the happiness on their faces, Fabian knew they were each other's own version of Heaven.
It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
I'm never changing who I am
No, it was true - these two had grown together so much. But they hadn’t changed who they were at the core of their beings - they simply fit together as the individuals they both were. They were two halves of one whole… soulmates, even.
Fabian chuckled at his own cheesy thoughts. Merlin, who would have thought he would get this sentimental in his old age? … not that fifty-eight was old, of course, but still-
His chuckle turned into a real laugh as he watched Hermione smash a small piece of cake against Gideon’s mouth, only to snort with amusement as Gideon pressed creamy kisses against his squirming bride's face and neck. Fabian was grateful beyond belief that even their playful sides matched the others’. Yes, they had certainly made the right decision to fight for their love.
And now it was time for them to begin their life together.